Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is confident that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in State agencies is necessary; if the agencies ensure that there is a robust business case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the agency ensures that the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if, upon their return, the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on agency business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36043/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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With regard to official overseas travel, my Department's agencies are required to adhere to civil service procedures as set out in guidance in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2009), the Foreign Travel Guidelines 2009 issued by the Department of Finance and any additional guidance as provided from time to time by central Departments. Agencies are cognisant of the need to achieve economy and efficiency in their expenditure on official travel and the board of the agency is required to satisfy itself they the agency is in adherence with the principals of its travel policy are that the internal audit process is effective in insuring that it is fully complying with the policy.

In addition each agency is required to furnish, in conjunction with its annual report and accounts, a comprehensive report which includes affirming that all appropriate procedures for financial reporting including travel are being carried out.